good location for family with two kids El Segundo or Santa Monica? (Vista: apartments)

[pier71]

Hi,
In 10 days I arrive in LA with my family.
I'll work in an IT company in Venice.

Before I was looking a location in Redondo and I asked to this forum a suggestion about commute from Redondo to Venice and after reading all the responses we decided to look a location nearest to work/Venice (so I not loose my time in a car..)

What location between Santa Monica and El Segundo is better for a family with two kids (3 and 6 yrs) ?

For the first time should be better that we don't need a car to go to work or go to school.(we need to get a new CA license..)

I have some doubt about LAX noise and pollution in El Segundo and the access beach, how is live in El Segundo ? Other problem is that seems that there are not many apartment for rent in El Segundo.

On the other side in Santa Monica we are looking in OceanPark or near Montana av but I am afraid that the apartments are too small for my budget. My budget is 2500/2800$, is possibile to find a unit with 1000sqft for this budget in Santa Monica ?
An example yesterday I have look on wstsiderentals a unit of 1100 sqft in 10st near av Montana for 2400 $, but today there is no anymore. There are unit like this or are all with higher price ?

Another question, Santa Monica is safe ? We come from a city (Milan, Italy) that there is no small (some crime,traffic, pollution,) but we know our city (where to go and not to go..).

thanks to all,
Pier

[thelopez2]

Mar Vista Area and Beethoven Elementary School. Mar Vista is part of LA City.

[Panamajack78]

Santa Monica is great with kids. It has great schools, especially the areas north of Wilshire. I suggest driving around the areas between Wilshire and Montana in Santa Monica. There are lots of town homes, condos and apartments than are not advertised and the only way to find them is to drive around town. Also check radpads.com and hotpads.com, they are a great source for finding rentals.

Buona fortuna!

[pier71]

thanks for suggest,
i'll drive in Montana/Wilshire to find other apartments that are not on internet,

about Mar Vista seems that there are not many apartments in Beethoven district, but I look it better online.

[thelopez2]

Originally Posted by pier71

thanks for suggest,
i'll drive in Montana/Wilshire to find other apartments that are not on internet,

about Mar Vista seems that there are not many apartments in Beethoven district, but I look it better online.

It will be difficult to find a place online also must be careful of scams.
A house will rent from $2400 to $4000 in the area, an apartment, much less. You'll have to drive around and look for the for rent signs if you want an apartment. Apartments in LA will rent within a week.

[majoun]

Keep in mind even the worst schools in Santa Monica are among the best schools in the state.

El Segundo also has excellent schools and is cheaper than Santa Monica,

Both are safe.

Mar Vista is nice and safe but it's LAUSD and so I don't recommend it for people with kids. Not like when I grew up there, It's also within LA city so the quality of public services will be extremely low - much like many places in your native country such as Napoli

[pier71]

Originally Posted by thelopez2

It will be difficult to find a place online also must be careful of scams.
A house will rent from $2400 to $4000 in the area, an apartment, much less. You'll have to drive around and look for the for rent signs if you want an apartment. Apartments in LA will rent within a week.

So I must rent a car and find rent signs.. Its good.

You mean 2400-4000 for a house in montana/wilshire or ocean park ?
On westsidesrentals price seems higher for apartment and there are not many house listed.

[pier71]

Originally Posted by majoun

Keep in mind even the worst schools in Santa Monica are among the best schools in the state.

El Segundo also has excellent schools and is cheaper than Santa Monica,

Both are safe.

Mar Vista is nice and safe but it's LAUSD and so I don't recommend it for people with kids. Not like when I grew up there, It's also within LA city so the quality of public services will be extremely low - much like many places in your native country such as Napoli

Thanks I understand very well what you said... I'll keep that in my mind..

[thelopez2]

Originally Posted by pier71

So I must rent a car and find rent signs.. Its good.

You mean 2400-4000 for a house in montana/wilshire or ocean park ?
On westsidesrentals price seems higher for apartment and there are not many house listed.

No I mean in mar vista. Most apartment in mar vista are old.

[pier71]

Originally Posted by thelopez2

No I mean in mar vista. Most apartment in mar vista are old.

Ah ok , I get it, thanks